Kia Wins Multiple 2020 “Best Car For The Money” Awards From U.S. News & World Report

January 23, 2020

WASHINGTON, Jan. 23, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Today, at the Washington Auto Show, Kia received four 2020 Best Car for the Money awards from U.S. News & World Report in four separate categories: the Forte won for best compact car; the Soul was best subcompact SUV; Sorento best 3-row SUV; and Sedona best minivan.

“Winning one Best Car for the Money awards is a great honor,” said Michael Cole, president, Kia Motors America (KMA). “Winning four is fantastic. It’s Kia’s mission to provide consumers with desirable high-quality vehicles at the best value, and so this recognition from U.S. News & World Report is tremendously gratifying.”

Winners are chosen by the best combination of quality and value. Quality is determined by each vehicle’s performance in U.S. News & World Report Best Car Rankings and value is measured by a combination of transaction prices and five-year total ownership costs.

U.S. News & World Report executive editor Jaime Page Deaton said, “Kia winning four Best Car for the Money Awards shows just how well the company’s strategy of providing quality, feature-filled cars has paid off. In each category that Kia won, the model not only represented a great value in terms of price and ownership costs, but also in terms of providing a top-notch ownership experience.”

About Kia Motors America

Headquartered in Irvine, California, Kia Motors America has been the highest ranked mass market brand in initial quality for five consecutive years according to J.D. Power¹ and is recognized as one of the 100 Best Global Brands by Interbrand. Kia serves as the “Official Automotive Partner” of the NBA and offers a complete range of vehicles sold through a network of nearly 800 dealers in the U.S., including cars and SUVs proudly assembled in West Point, Georgia.

For media information, including photography, visit www.kiamedia.com. To receive custom email notifications for press releases the moment they are published, subscribe at www.kiamedia.com/us/en/newsalert.

¹ Kia received the lowest rate of reported problems among mass market brands in the J.D. Power 2015-19 U.S. Initial Quality Studies of new vehicle owners’ experiences with their own vehicle after 90 days of ownership. Visit jdpower.com/awards for more details.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1080959/Kia_Sorento.jpg
Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/812837/Kia_Motors_America_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Kia Motors America

The Home Depot Receives “A List” Rating from Environmental Impact Leader CDP

January 23, 2020

ATLANTA, Jan. 23, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The Home Depot^® has been recognized as a global leader on corporate climate action for its efforts to reduce its environmental impact and build a more sustainable future for consumers and their homes. CDP, an environmental impact non-profit, named The Home Depot to its Climate Change “A List” for its actions to cut carbon emissions and mitigate climate risks.

Every year, thousands of companies disclose data about their environmental impacts to CDP for independent assessment and receive scores ranging from A to D- for how effectively they are tackling climate risks and building toward a future zero-carbon economy.

The Home Depot is focused on reducing carbon emissions by continually improving energy efficiency in its operations and expanding investments in renewable and alternative energy. As a result, the company has reduced absolute carbon emissions by over 3 million metric tonnes since 2009. This was achieved amid significant growth – from $66 billion in sales in 2008 to $108 billion in 2018. The company also set science-based targets in 2018 to achieve a 40 percent reduction in its carbon emissions by 2030 and a 50 percent reduction by 2035.

“We’re honored to be recognized by the CDP for our efforts to reduce our environmental impact,” said Ron Jarvis, vice president of environmental. “Our results come from making improvements kilowatt by kilowatt. We’ve retrofitted LED lighting in more than 1,300 stores, installed energy-efficient heating, air-conditioning and ventilation systems in 133 stores, and have updated HVAC units in 467 stores. As a result of these and other initiatives, from 2010 to 2018, energy consumption at our U.S. stores decreased 26 percent, ahead of our stated goal for a 20 percent reduction by 2020. We constantly strive to improve the sustainability of our operations, because it’s good for our business and good for the planet.”

Even as its business grows, The Home Depot has taken steps to lessen the environmental impact of each mile its goods travel with the company’s multiyear supply chain synchronization initiative. This approach incorporates and builds on clean transportation best practices throughout its supply chain. In 2018, the company shrank its supply chain emissions intensity by six percent, reducing the carbon dioxide produced for each unit consumed. The company also eliminated over 117,000 truckloads in the U.S. in 2018 through supply chain efficiencies, and leverages green technologies like hydrogen fuel cells, which produce off-the-grid power, within its supply chain operations.

The company also believes the biggest environmental impact it can make is through the products it sells to customers. The Home Depot is tracking ahead of stated goals to help customers cut greenhouse gas emissions by 20 million metric tonnes through 2020. The company offers over 22,000 ENERGY STAR^® products in stores and online, and sold more than 231 million units of these products. This furthers The Home Depot’s goal to help customers save $2.8 billion in energy costs.

To learn more about how The Home Depot is reducing its environmental impact, view the 2019 Home Depot Responsibility Report. The report is available as an overview infographic, digital book and PDF on The Home Depot’s corporate newsroom Built from Scratch.

About The Home Depot
The Home Depot is the world’s largest home improvement specialty retailer, with 2,291 retail stores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, 10 Canadian provinces and Mexico. In fiscal 2018, The Home Depot had sales of $108.2 billion and earnings of $11.1 billion. The Company employs more than 400,000 associates. The Home Depot’s stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: HD) and is included in the Dow Jones industrial average and Standard & Poor’s 500 index.

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/118058/the_home_depot_logo.jpg

SOURCE The Home Depot

ATAX Franchise Named a 2020 Top Franchise by Franchise Business Review

January 23, 2020

Independent Survey Shows Franchise Owners Are Highly Satisfied with ATAX’s Performance

NEW YORK, Jan. 23, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — ATAX Franchise was recently named a top franchise for 2020 by Franchise Business Review. This is the 15^th annual ranking of the top 200 award-winning franchise opportunities. The list is available at https://franchisebusinessreview.com/page/top-franchises/.

At ATAX, we see a place where individuals meet their trusted tax advisor and where business owners get the guidance they need to operate their business. We want to serve our clients where they are and mirror the diversity they represent in the language they prefer.

Franchise Business Review, a franchise market research firm that performs independent surveys of franchisee satisfaction, provides the only rankings and awards for franchise companies based solely on actual franchisee satisfaction and performance. Franchise Business Review publishes its rankings of the top 200 franchises in its annual Guide to Today’s Top Franchises.

“Franchisee profitability and satisfaction are our priority because we have control over how we support our franchisees,” says Arthur Garcia, President of ATAX. “We believe that if our franchisees are happy and proud of their work, they will provide excellent customer service to each client. We are proud to be among the leaders in franchising and are focused to lead with service.”

ATAX was among over 307 franchise brands, representing more than 27,500 franchise owners, that participated in Franchise Business Review’s research. ATAX’s franchisees were surveyed on 33 benchmark questions about their experience and satisfaction regarding critical areas of their franchise systems, including training & support, operations, franchisor/franchisee relations, and financial opportunity.

ATAX’s survey data showed the following:

Senior Management is effective in driving our company forward – 4.4
I believe my franchisor acts with a high level of honesty and integrity – 4.6
Long-term growth opportunity – 4.4
I enjoy operating this business – 4.6
Would you recommend this franchise to others? – 4.9

Visit FranchiseBusinessReview.com to see the full description of the 2020 Top Franchises.

About ATAX

Founded by Rafael Alvarez in 1986 his mission was to offer tax preparation services to the Washington Heights, NY community. After starting with $200, 2 computers and a fax machine the company became one of the largest tax preparation providers in New York. In 2007, Mr. Alvarez launched ATAX Franchise Inc., and began expanding along the East Coast of the US. The company sees the opportunity to create a place where our customers can get access to a number of services by trusted advisors and in the language they feel comfortable speaking.” Visit us at www.ataxfranchise.com

About Franchise Business Review

Franchise Business Review (FBR) is the leading independent market research firm that specializes in benchmarking franchisee satisfaction based exclusively on ratings and reviews from franchise owners. FBR publishes free and unbiased franchisee satisfaction research reports throughout the year online at http://www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com.

Media Contacts:

Rafael Alvarez
CEO
914-920-5060
[email protected]

Franchise Business Review
Sarah Osorio
Editorial Director
603.373.1552
[email protected]

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/895794/ATAX_Logo.jpg

SOURCE ATAX Franchise

Activist Moms Rally, Demand L.A. City Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson Do The Right Thing And Agendize “ARUS” Motion

January 23, 2020

Alcohol Justice logo. (PRNewsFoto/Alcohol Justice)

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 23, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Alcohol Justice and activist Grupo de Madres (Mother’s Group) ‘Manos Unidad de Koreatown’ will hold a rally at Los Angeles city Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson’s District office.

WHAT: a rally to denounce City Planning and Land Use Management Committee Chair Harris-Dawson’s denial to take action on an alcohol prevention proposal. The Alcohol Restricted Use Subdistrict motion (file 17-0117) also known popularly as ARUS, is asking for a report back from city planning as to the possibility of creating a mechanism by which neighborhoods can have a say in reducing alcohol outlet overconcentration in their area. The motion has been sitting in the PLUM committee for three years and the Chair is unwilling to allow it to be agendized.

For the last 6 months continuous requests to meet with the councilmember by a group of activist mothers from the community group ‘Manos Unidas de Koreatown’ have gone unheard. They support the motion and have decided to speak up. “Estamos molestos porque no han puesto a ARUS en la agenda. Se supone que nuestros concejales trabajan para nosotros, entonces porque nos han ignorado por casi 3 años?”, expressed Veronica Cruz a member of Manos Unidas de Koreatown. “Nuestros concejales se enfocan más en el dinero que en la comunidad. Basta ya! Estamos esperando la accion de ellos con ARÚS,” added Yancy Mauricio a resident of council district 8 and a supporter of ARUS.

WHEN: Thursday, January 23, 2020, 10 A.M.

WHERE: 1968 W Adams Blvd, Los Angeles, California 90018, City Council District 8 office.

WHO: Activist mothers – Manos Unidas de Koreatown, Alcohol Justice and community members.

WHY: New research shows all 15 L.A. City Council Districts are extremely oversaturated with alcohol related businesses, leading to higher crime rates. A potential solution is in danger of dying in Planning and Land Use Management Committee on Jan. 31.

Despite the research linking crime to high alcohol density throughout Los Angeles, at least 500 alcohol licenses are currently waiting for approval. According to the California Business Code, alcohol licenses should be limited based on a ratio of population per census tract in order to protect public health and safety.

Read More: Links to Alcohol Fact Sheets: https://bit.ly/367bZBK

Contact: Jorge Castillo 213 840-3336
Michael Scippa 415 548-0492

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/147418/alcohol_justice_logo.jpg

SOURCE Alcohol Justice

“Hey, Update My Voice” Exposes Cyber Harassment.

January 23, 2020

MIAMI, Jan. 22, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Virtual assistants are increasingly present in people’s lives, helping clear doubts and making everyday life easier. What they all have in common is a standard female voice and a woman’s name, such as Lu, Siri, Alexa, Nat, Bia, etc.

According to a study released in May 2019 by UNESCO called “I’d Blush If I Could,” virtual AI assistants have been suffering verbal harassment of a sexual nature, to which they usually respond with tolerant, subservient and passive remarks.

The “Hey, Update My Voice” movement, in partnership with UNESCO, was born out of this context with the goal of teaching respect towards virtual assistants and, in addition, asking tech companies to update their assistants’ responses. Because if that happens to them, imagine what happens in real life to real women.

Every day around the world, virtual assistants suffer abuse and harassment of all kinds. In Brazil, for example, Lu, the virtual assistant of Magazine Luiza stores, has been victimized by this sort of violence. Worldwide, cases have been reported involving Siri and Alexa, among others. When we look at the real world, the figures are startling:

73% of women worldwide have suffered harassment online.
15 million women aged 15–19 have already suffered sexual abuse.
70% of female refugees are victims of violence throughout their lives.
97% of Brazilian women say they have suffered harassment on public and private transport.
43% of European women suffered bullying or physical violence from their partners.
1 in 5 young people suffer sexual abuse within universities in the USA.

Right now, the public is a valuable asset for the movement. On the https://heyupdatemyvoice.org website, there is a field called “Your Voice” where anyone can record messages up to 15 seconds long suggesting answers virtual assistants can use to respond to harassment. Our goal is for companies to join the movement, updating their virtual assistants’ responses based on those suggestions.

In addition to this, the website contains information about the movement, local and international news around the topics of cyber harassment and gender bias, and a video presentation of the issue.

The reported situations involving Artificial Intelligence are not just about technology. The issue is about humanity itself, raising questions regarding science, politics, philosophy and ethics. The movement is intended to responsibly foster this debate.

Furthermore, according to the UNESCO study, virtual assistants are largely programmed by men (who account for 90 percent of the workforce in AI creation) and follow the directive of always sounding subservient, even when verbally assaulted.

The “Hey, Update My Voice” movement aims to educate current and future generations better and is open to anyone’s participation, from Women’s Rights organizations to companies that employ virtual assistants, or people who simply want to join the debate.

“UNESCO has been conducting research and organizing a series of events on the topic of gender equality, with the goal of promoting debates with various stakeholders involving academics, private and government organizations, the media and civil society. It’s necessary that we contribute to the establishment of ethical principles that regulate Artificial Intelligence with transparency and responsibility,” says Marlova Jovchelovitch Noleto, UNESCO director and representative for Brazil.

The partnership between UNESCO and the “Hey, Update My Voice” movement puts forward the creation of a network of specialists working to collect data in Brazil: public policy-makers and companies that could help enforce rules and principles, especially when it comes to active forms of engaging society in methods of Artificial Intelligence governance.

The movement and campaign were created and developed by SunsetDDB in Brazil—an agency part of DDB Latina.

*Sources:
“I’d Blush If I Could”
https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000367416.page=1

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/may/22/sexually-harass-siri-virtual-assistants-women

https://www.wired.com/story/why-siri-and-alexa-werent-built-to-smack-down-harassment/

https://hbr.org/podcast/2019/11/ai-accountability-and-power

https://hbr.org/2019/11/4-ways-to-address-gender-bias-in-ai

ABOUT DDB LATINA GROUP
DDB Latina is the leading communications group in the Latin markets around the world. It develops business solutions for its clients through its companies: DDB, Africa, Alma, Tribal Worldwide, TRACK, and TracyLocke, among others. As a pioneer in the industry, DDB Latina Group united the Latin American, US Multicultural, and Spanish markets with a unique vision inspired by culture, not geography. Its network currently includes more than 30 offices in 20 countries. Its operational model is based on “Triplas,” where strategy, technology, and creativity merge to create innovative ideas that generate business results for the brands that the DDB Latina Group collaborates with, including some of the most recognized in the region and across diverse industries. DDB Latina has been awarded the Most Creative Network of Ibero-America at El Ojo and Crema Ranking in 2017 and at Wave Festival in 2019.

ABOUT DDB
DDB Worldwide (www.ddb.com) is one of the world’s largest and leading advertising and marketing networks. DDB has been named Agency of the Year numerous times by the Cannes International Festival of Creativity and the industry’s leading advertising publications and awards shows. The Gunn Report has listed DDB as one of the Top 3 Global Networks for 12 of the last 15 years. The agency’s clients include McDonald’s, Unilever, Mars, Johnson & Johnson, and the U.S. Army, among others.

Founded in 1949, DDB is part of the Omnicom Group (NYSE) and consists of more than 200 offices in over 90 countries with its flagship office in New York, NY.

ABOUT OMNICOM
Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE – OMC) is a leading global marketing and corporate communications company. Omnicom’s branded networks and numerous specialty firms provide advertising, strategic media planning and buying, digital and interactive marketing, direct and promotional marketing, public relations and other specialty communications services to over 5,000 clients in more than 100 countries.

CONTACT:
Angela Henao
Director of Communications & PR | DDB Latina Group
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +1 (305) 341 2563

SOURCE DDB Latina

Unilever and Sundial Brands Announce New Brand, Emerge, for Natural Hair Exclusively at Target

January 23, 2020

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, New Jersey, Jan. 22, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Unilever and Sundial Brands have launched a new line of textured hair care products for Gen Z multicultural women available exclusively at Target. Emerge was designed for today’s next generation naturals who want to explore different hairstyles and lifestyles. The brand was founded to enable these acts of self-discovery at an accessible price point. With the Emerge six-piece product range young women can braid, twist-out or wash-n-go without breaking the bank.

More than a hair care line, Emerge understands that self-expression and creativity are important parts of who Gen Z is, however young women of color often don’t get the opportunities and access needed to pursue their creativity and many are getting left behind at the start of their careers. Only 17 percent of new hires in corporate America are women of color compared to 31 percent of white women¹. That’s why Emerge is committed to helping enable the next generation to embrace their creativity in every endeavor.

“We’re committed to reaching 100,000 young women nationwide by 2025 to help them emerge their true, authentic and creative selves. Our partners will enable us to help young women gain access to networks, experiences and resources they need to succeed in their creative endeavors no matter how they define creativity. From dance to photography and everything in between, Emerge gives women the confidence needed, in their hair and themselves, to focus on their passions unapologetically,” said Soumya Donkada, Innovation & Strategy at Unilever.

Emerge is a true collaboration which brings together Sundial’s deep knowledge of multicultural beauty and Unilever’s commitment to brands with purpose, to create a clean beauty brand for next generation naturalistas. Providing an uncompromising approach to textured hair, the moisture-rich Emerge products aid in adding curl definition and reducing frizz for 48-hours. The collection is infused with pequi oil and almond milk, and the products are formulated with a combination of naturally derived and non-natural ingredients. All of our products are formulated without sulfates, parabens, phthalates, silicones, mineral oil, petrolatum or dyes. These formulas provide natural coils, curls and waves the extra love they need to help reduce breakage, define curls and soften hair to create unique styles.

“Gen Z women want to style their hair boldly and change up their look often without worrying about frizz or flyaways. Our formulas allow them to style their hair as creatively as they would like without the added stress whether they are hitting the stage or the classroom. Powered by nature and inspired by our consumers, Emerge has found an amazing partner in Target, especially with its growing wellness and multicultural verticals,” said Nicola Chung, Sundial Brands Sr. Director of Innovation and Emerge Lead.

To spread awareness of the brand’s product range and purpose, Emerge has assembled the Emerge Creative Collective (ECC) which is comprised of influential young women of color with diverse hair types, styles and creative passions. These women include Erica Lall (professional ballet dancer), Jessica Zyrie (LGBTQIA activist), Tonina Saputo (singer, song-writer, bassist), Nesrin Danan (professional photographer), Blake Ja‘el (student, nail artist, natural hair vlogger), Veronica Bonilla (vintage fashion entrepreneur) and rounding out the group, celebrity hair artist Nai’vasha. The ECC will serve as a resource for those in the natural hair community, whom they can turn to for new techniques, styles and hairspiration.

“As a hairstylist, artistry is at the core of what I do every day. I feel incredibly lucky to be partnering with a brand that both believes in the power of creativity and delivers effective products that can be used on my celebrity clients to create unique, bold styles,” said Nai’vasha, Emerge Celebrity Hair Artist.

Emerge is available exclusively at Target stores nationwide and online at Target.com for a suggested retail price of $6.99.

For more information, visit EmergeBeautiful.com and follow Emerge on Instagram and Twitter, and become a fan on Facebook.

About Emerge
Emerge is a new brand of haircare products for a new wave of creative naturalistas. Infused with by almond milk and pequi oil, Emerge helps keep your curls and coils moisturized and defined. Formulated without sulfates, parabens, phthalates, silicones, mineral oil, petrolatum or dyes – our products love your hair back.

About Unilever North America

Unilever is one of the world’s leading suppliers of Beauty & Personal Care, Home Care, and Foods & Refreshment products with sales in over 190 countries and reaching 2.5 billion consumers a day. In the United States and Canada, the portfolio includes brand icons such as: Axe, Ben & Jerry’s, Breyers, Degree, Dollar Shave Club, Dove, Hellmann’s, Klondike, Knorr, Lever 2000, Lipton, Love Beauty and Planet, Magnum, Nexxus, Noxzema, Pond’s, Popsicle, Pure Leaf, Q-tips, Seventh Generation, Simple, Sir Kensington’s, St. Ives, Suave, Talenti Gelato & Sorbetto, TAZO, TIGI, TRESemmé and Vaseline. All of the preceding brand names are trademarks or registered trademarks of the Unilever Group of Companies.

Unilever’s Sustainable Living Plan (USLP) underpins the company’s strategy and commits to:

Helping more than a billion people take action to improve their health and well-being by 2020.
Halving the environmental impact of our products by 2030.
Enhancing the livelihoods of millions of people by 2020.

The USLP creates value by driving growth and trust, eliminating costs and reducing risks. In 2018, the company’s Sustainable Living Brands grew 69% faster than the rest of the business, compared to 46% in 2017.

Since 2010 we have been taking action through the Unilever Sustainable Living Plan to help more than a billion people improve their health and well-being, halve our environmental footprint and enhance the livelihoods of millions of people as we grow our business. We have already made significant progress and continue to expand our ambition – most recently committing to ensure 100% of our plastic packaging is fully reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025. While there is still more to do, we are proud to have been recognized in 2018 as sector leader in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index and as the top ranked company in the GlobeScan/SustainAbility Global Corporate Sustainability Leaders survey, for the eighth-consecutive year.

For more information on Unilever U.S. and its brands visit: www.unileverusa.com

For more information on the USLP: www.unilever.com/sustainable-living/

About Sundial Brands:

Sundial Brands, a leading skincare and haircare manufacturer renowned for its innovative use of high-quality and culturally authentic natural ingredients, is the maker of emerge™, SheaMoisture, Nubian Heritage, nyakio™ and MCJW. A certified B Corp, the company’s Community Commerce purpose-driven business model creates opportunities for sustainable social and economic empowerment throughout its supply chain and communities in the United States and Africa, focusing on entrepreneurship, women’s empowerment, education and wellness. Widely credited with introducing the “New General Market” inclusion concept to the beauty and retail industries, Sundial Brands founder Richelieu Dennis began the company in 1991 with his college roommate, Nyema Tubman, and mother, Mary Dennis. Sundial Brands is a subsidiary of Unilever.

¹ McKinsey and Company Report, Women in the Workplace, 2018

Contact:
Caroline Zalla
Edelman
[email protected]
212-738-6081

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1080244/Emerge_Hero_Group_Product_Shot.jpg
Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1080243/Hero_Emerge_Talent_Shot_Tonina.jpg

SOURCE Unilever; Sundial Brands

$5 Million Gift from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas to Fund Scholarships for UH Medical Students; Create Pipeline Program

January 23, 2020

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas logo.

HOUSTON, Jan. 23, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The University of Houston College of Medicine has received a $5 million gift from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX). The gift will provide $3.5 million for scholarships to at least 35 medical students and $1.5 million to create a pipeline program to attract and retain students from diverse backgrounds who have an interest in practicing primary care medicine.

The new medical school aims for at least half of each graduating class to practice primary care to address the significant statewide shortage of physicians in underserved urban and rural communities where health disparities take their heaviest toll. Houston has grown by more than 4 million people since its most recent medical school was founded in 1972, and Texas ranks 47th in primary care physician-to-population ratio.

“The gift to the UH College of Medicine holds true to our focus on lowering health care costs through long-term, sustainable community investments. This investment is about the future of health care. Primary care physicians will be the cornerstones of that future,” said Dr. Dan McCoy, president of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas. “Developing and training primary care physicians is a crucial step towards building a system of care that is patient-centric and less complicated, while also improving quality and lowering cost. We believe this investment on the front end will yield great results for health care on the back end.”

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas Scholarships – $3.5 million
BCBSTX scholarships will provide $100,000 four-year scholarships for at least 35 medical students. The medical school will use a holistic admissions process that not only factors in Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores and grade point average, but also carefully considers predictors for those most likely to pursue primary care. Those predictors include:

individuals who have family members in service-oriented careers
those pursuing medicine as a second career
candidates who are African American, Hispanic or from rural areas
individuals with previous experience in primary care in another capacity

Blue Cross and Blue Shield College of Medicine Pipeline Program – $1.5 million
To meet its core mission, the UH College of Medicine will use pipeline programs to target ethnically and socioeconomically diverse K-12 and pre-medicine college students with an interest in primary care. Funding will be used to hire a director of outreach and diversity who will study successful pipeline programs and promote hiring a diverse faculty; and provide initial funding for a Ph.D. faculty member to develop an academic support system that includes peer mentoring/tutoring, test-taking and study skills development, and faculty mentorship training for student academic success.

“With a focus on improving health, we will educate physicians who will be able to provide a path to a productive and more enjoyable life for the residents of our city and state,” said Renu Khator, University of Houston president. “Recruiting and retaining the most diverse and academically competitive students, regardless of financial resources, is a top priority for our medical school. I’m extremely thankful to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas for sharing in our vision.”

The College of Medicine will admit 30 students in its inaugural class, pending accreditation by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education, reaching a total of 120 students per class and a total of 480 students at full enrollment. Tuition and fee rates for the Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree at UH will begin at $23,755 per year. According to Dr. Stephen Spann, founding dean of the medical school, one effective way to increase the number of graduates who practice primary care is to provide scholarships to students with a stated desire to become a primary care physician.

“Student loan debt is a significant deterrent to pursuing primary care specialties. The result is more physicians in non-primary care specialties, and a marked decline in primary care doctors,” said Spann. “This is precisely why training primary care physicians is an urgent need. We’re grateful to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas for enabling more students to pursue their medical education at the University of Houston.”

With the gift, BCBSTX is welcomed into the UH Vanguard Society, the university’s corporate donor recognition circle. The society recognizes corporate benefactors who have given a total of $5 million or more to the university.

The gift is part of the “Here, We Go” Campaign, the University of Houston’s first major systemwide fundraising campaign in more than 25 years. The University has raised more than $1 billion to address key priorities, including scholarships, faculty support and strengthening the university’s partnership with Houston, and momentum continues as UH moves beyond its original billion dollar goal.

“Through this generous gift, our students will be able to fully immerse themselves in their studies and learn how to deliver value-based, compassionate care,” said Eloise Brice, UH vice president for university advancement. “We thank Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas for providing this incredible opportunity.”

About University of Houston
The University of Houston is a Carnegie-designated Tier One public research university recognized with a Phi Beta Kappa chapter for excellence in undergraduate education. UH serves the globally competitive Houston and Gulf Coast Region by providing world-class faculty, experiential learning and strategic industry partnerships. Located in the nation’s fourth-largest city and one of the most ethnically and culturally diverse regions in the country, UH is a federally designated Hispanic- and Asian-American-Serving institution with enrollment of more than 46,000 students.

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) – the only statewide, customer-owned health insurer in Texas – is the largest provider of health benefits in the state, working with nearly 80,000 physicians and healthcare practitioners, and 500 hospitals to serve more than 5 million members in all 254 counties. BCBSTX is a Division of Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC) (which operates Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans in Texas, Illinois, Montana, Oklahoma and New Mexico), the country’s largest customer- owned health insurer, and fourth largest health insurer overall. Health Care Service Corporation is a Mutual Legal Reserve Company and an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
BCBSTX.com | Twitter.com/BCBSTX | Facebook.com/BlueCrossBlueShieldOfTexas | YouTube.com/BCBSTX

About the “Here, We Go” Campaign
The “Here, We Go” Campaign is the University of Houston’s first major systemwide fundraising campaign in more than 25 years. Gifts made from 2012 to 2020 will contribute toward the University’s key priorities, including scholarships, faculty support and strengthening the University’s partnership with Houston.

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/248862/blue_cross_and_blue_shield_of_texas_logo.jpg

SOURCE Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas

Brooklyn-Based Medly Pharmacy Brings Innovation and Ease to Customers in the Philadelphia Market

January 23, 2020

BROOKLYN, New York, Jan. 23, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Medly Pharmacy, the innovative full-service digital pharmacy that has humanized the digital pharmacy experience, announced the official launch of operations in the Philadelphia market. With this development, Medly Pharmacy now serves three states: New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

At this time, Medly is operating out of a location at 2842 Cottman Avenue in the Mayfair neighborhood of Philadelphia. In the coming months, Medly will be relocating to a larger space, located on Walnut Street in Center City.

“We are pleased to announce our entrance into the Philadelphia market, the first stop along the way toward creating a national presence,” said Dr. Marg Patel, CEO and Co-Founder of Medly Pharmacy. “Our goal remains to provide an optimal customer experience, one which we can proudly say is working. We look forward to serving our newest customer base.”

Medly Pharmacy, a digital pharmacy with dedicated brick-and-mortar locations in each city of operation, offers free, same-day delivery options to all patients. Customers have come to expect full transparency and the lowest co-pay options available, all while avoiding long lines at the pharmacy and receiving prescriptions in a timely manner. Coordination amongst medical providers and insurance companies also takes the patient out of what can often be a complicated equation.

About Medly Pharmacy
Medly Pharmacy is a full-service, digital pharmacy that delivers a patient’s prescriptions to them for free on the same day, anywhere in New York City, New Jersey and Philadelphia. The digital experience makes managing prescriptions simple, efficient, smart and most importantly, safe for customers. More information can be found at https://medlypharmacy.com.

SOURCE Medly Pharmacy

FIBRA Prologis Declares Quarterly Distribution

January 23, 2020

MEXICO CITY, Jan. 23, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — FIBRA Prologis (BMV: FIBRAPL 14), one of the leading owners of Class-A logistics real estate in Mexico, today declared a cash distribution of Ps. 378.3 million (US$ 20.1 million), or Ps. 0.5828 per Certificado Bursátil Fiduciario Inmobiliario (“CBFI”) (US$ 0.0310 per CBFI) related to the results of the quarter ending December 31, 2019.

The distribution is payable January 31, 2020, to CBFI holders with an ex-dividend date of January 29, 2020, and a record date of January 30, 2020.

4Q19 cash distribution to holders corresponds, for fiscal effects, to tax result for the 2019 period.

ABOUT FIBRA PROLOGIS

FIBRA Prologis is one of the leading owners and operator of Class-A industrial real estate in Mexico. As of December 31, 2019, FIBRA Prologis comprised 191 logistics and manufacturing facilities in six industrial markets in Mexico totaling 34.9 million square feet (3.2 million square meters) of gross leasable area.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The statements in this release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the industry and markets in which FIBRA Prologis operates, management’s beliefs and assumptions made by management. Such statements involve uncertainties that could significantly impact FIBRA Prologis financial results. Words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements, which generally are not historical in nature. All statements that address operating performance, events or developments that we expect or anticipate will occur in the future — including statements relating to rent and occupancy growth, acquisition activity, development activity, disposition activity, general conditions in the geographic areas where we operate, our debt and financial position, are forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Although we believe the expectations reflected in any forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, we can give no assurance that our expectations will be attained and therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements. Some of the factors that may affect outcomes and results include, but are not limited to: (i) national, international, regional and local economic climates, (ii) changes in financial markets, interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates, (iii) increased or unanticipated competition for our properties, (iv) risks associated with acquisitions, dispositions and development of properties, (v) maintenance of real estate investment trust (“FIBRA”) status and tax structuring, (vi) availability of financing and capital, the levels of debt that we maintain and our credit ratings, (vii) risks related to our investments (viii) environmental uncertainties, including risks of natural disasters, and (ix) those additional factors discussed in reports filed with the “Comisión Nacional Bancaria y de Valores” and the Mexican Stock Exchange by FIBRA Prologis under the heading “Risk Factors.” FIBRA Prologis undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statements appearing in this release.

Non-Solicitation – Any securities discussed herein or in the accompanying presentations, if any, have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933 or the securities laws of any state and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements under the Securities Act and any applicable state securities laws. Any such announcement does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the securities discussed herein or in the presentations, if and as applicable.

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SOURCE FIBRA Prologis

Disciplinary Actions Against CTEC Registered Tax Preparers Now Public

January 23, 2020

SACRAMENTO, California, Jan. 23, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Need help filing your tax return? Caution. Not all tax preparers are compliant with California requirements.

“We cannot say this enough. Verify, verify, verify. Don’t ever assume,” said Susie DiMaggio, chair of the California Tax Education Council (CTEC), a state-mandated nonprofit organization that manages the registration of unlicensed tax preparers.

California Assembly Bill 3143 aims to increase the protection of taxpayers by allowing CTEC to post on its website all disciplinary actions taken against a registered tax preparer by the council, including misconduct that results in suspending or revoking a registration. CTEC is also required to post a list of its registrants on probation that specifies the reason why and the terms.

In addition to posting disciplinary actions, the new law requires registrants to report all paid claims against their surety bond to CTEC. CTEC will post a listing of those claims on its website.

California law requires paid tax preparers to be either an attorney, certified public accountant (CPA), enrolled agent (EA) or CTEC-registered tax preparer (CRTP). Of the 80,000 tax preparers estimated to be doing business in California, 40,000 are registered with CTEC.

To obtain a CTEC registration, CRTPs must pass a 60-hour qualifying tax education course, purchase a $5,000 surety bond to protect taxpayers against fraud, plus obtain a Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) from the Internal Revenue Service. After their initial registration, CRTPs are required to maintain their bond and PTIN, plus complete 20 hours of continuing education each year before they can renew with CTEC.

“The goal is provide more transparency to taxpayers and hopefully stop costly mistakes from being made,” said Celeste Heritage, CTEC Administrator.

As of July 1, 2019, all disciplinary actions against CRTPs are posted on ctec.org Taxpayers who need to verify the status of an attorney, CPA or EA, must contact their oversight agencies. CTEC is a nonprofit organization established in 1997 by the California State Legislature to protect taxpayers against fraud and incompetent tax preparers.

Video – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1079978/CTEC_1_REVISION_FINAL_2_2.mp4

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SOURCE California Tax Education Council (CTEC)

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